1 . Between 30 and 40 percent of food produced for humans never gets eaten in the USA, ending up in landfills (垃圾填埋场), where it breaks down and produces greenhouse gases. Now, Elena Belavina, a professor from Cornell University, has an interesting solution. He says that opening more grocery (食品杂货) stores could reduce (减少) food waste greatly.
People of most US cities don’t have enough choices when it comes to grocery shopping, which means that people will overbuy when visiting a store. They buy more than what they can really eat, which means food goes to waste. However, when there are more stores in a neighborhood, people will shop daily or many times a week, buying just what they need, which means less food goes to waste.
For example, Belavina found that in Chicago, adding just three or four markets within a 10-square-kilometer area reduced food waste by 6 percent to 9 percent. Europe (and much of the rest of the world) is famously good at this, with stores meeting shoppers’ different needs, such as bread, cheese, meat and produce.
Belavina’s research did find that increasing the number of grocery stores would lead to more food waste by sellers, but this is less than food waste produced by customers. “We at home throw away 10 times more food than the grocery stores,” she said. This is why focusing on solutions to reducing life rubbish will have a greater help than focusing on sellers. Belavina suggests that when adding more stores isn’t workable, people should explore other shopping methods such as online orders. “Any service that makes it easier and allows you to shop more often is helpful. To reduce food waste, what people need to do is bring fewer groceries home.”
1. What will people do when there are more shops around?A.They will eat more healthily. |
B.They will shop more often. |
C.They will eat more food. |
D.They will buy too much. |
A.To compare it with other US cities. |
B.To show it has the similar problem. |
C.To point out its importance in the US. |
D.To prove Belavina’s solution is workable. |
A.We should try to avoid shopping online. |
B.We should shop at stores near our home. |
C.We should shop in small shops more often. |
D.We should increase the ways of shopping. |
A.The reasons for food waste. |
B.The change of shopping methods. |
C.The advantage of more shops around. |
D.The importance of self-control in shopping. |
1. How much should the man pay in total?
A.$115. | B.$120. | C.$125. |
A.Have a professional tailor his pants. |
B.Use a plastic bag to put his pants in. |
C.Think it over before having the pants shortened. |
A.The color. | B.The price. | C.The size. |
4 . Some Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts
Mother’s Day is right around the corner and it’s a special day for showing some gratitude and appreciation to mothers worldwide for raising and caring for their children. Naturally there are a lot of potential gifts out there for the occasion to choose from, so we’ve put together some thoughtful gifts you can send.
Mother’s Day scrabble printThis scrabble frame offers a more personal and alternative touch for Mother’s Day, with a simple but thoughtful message. You can also customise the names on the pieces to your own family names.
Katie Loxton slim pouchSometimes a small and simple gift can do just the trick, so if you wanted to go that route, this Katie Loxton pouch would be a great choice. It’s made from vegan leather and carved with “Wonderful Mum” on its front. It’s pocket-sized and can also handily fit in a handbag as an option for carrying small items.
Jimmy Choo Blossom special edition-Eau de ParfumSpring is in the air and so are the fragrances that are commonly associated with it. Presented in a lovely, brightly-coloured bottle and also diamond-shaped cap, this Jimmy Choo fragrance is a great gift for Mother’s Day and the blossoming of a new season, with its sweet and warm floral scents.
Floral punch needle kitIf your mum is into crafts, needling or is a plant lover, then this is the perfect gift for her. Made from cotton, beech wood and recycled plastic, it’s a punch needle kit ideal for hanging on a wall or help decorate a table stand with its nature themed fern look. Every gift is wrapped in recyclable packaging as well. Included inside is: the needle fabric, a model design, and detailed needling instructions for beginners.
1. How can you show some gratitude to mothers on Mother’s Day?A.By celebrating a special day. | B.By sending thoughtful gifts. |
C.By appreciating gifts worldwide. | D.By raising and caring for children. |
A.It’s personal and identical. | B.It’s expensive and thoughtful. |
C.It includes our names on the pieces. | D.It can cover our own family names. |
A.Floral punch needle kit | B.Katie Loxton slim pouch |
C.Mother’s Day scrabble print | D.Jimmy Choo Blossom special edition-Eau de Parfum |
On my way home from work yesterday, I
I understand that, but in this case it’s
I really believe we should do away with packaging completely. There is
Shopaholics
TV. The Internet. The mall. Everywhere we look, we see advertisements that urge us to buy. In today’s consumer society, we are under constant pressure to shop. Of course, most people only buy what they need and what they can afford. However, there are some people, called shopaholics, who can’t control their desire to spend money and buy things. This kind of addictive behaviour can lead large financial problems, family conflict, and deep unhappiness.
What are the symptoms of a shopaholic? People with this problem often spend hours and hours shopping on the Internet or at the mall. Their closets are full of clothing and jewelry that they have never worn, with the price tags still on them. Their homes may be packed with shopping bags and boxes that they bought but never used. Many shopaholics are aware of their own problems, but when they go to a store, they simply can’t resist the urge to buy. Some of them are ashamed of their weakness and try to hide it by storing their purchases in places like the attic (阁楼), where others won’t see them.
Psychologists suggest there are several reasons for a shopping addiction. For some people, it is a way of relieving stress. For others, shopping is a way to fight loneliness or depression. For people with low self-esteem, shopping can be a way that they prove their self-worth. Sometimes the problem develops out of boredom. It becomes a replacement for other hobbies and interests, and it helps pass the time. Although shopping can temporarily make people feel good, they often experience feelings of shame and guilt later.
When shopping habits get out of control, people need professional help. They can either see a counselor (顾问) or join an organisation such as Shopaholics Anonymous. Groups like this try to help people understand the reasons for their addiction and learn how to control the urge to shop. Their goal is to help people find ways to fulfill themselves that do not lead to serious debt and troubled lives.
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A.In the library. | B.In a store. | C.In the booking office. |
8 . Make Our Wardrobe Special
It may be the beginning of a new year, but by January it certainly feels like it should be the end of winter. Unfortunately, we still have a couple of cold grey months to get through. One bright spot in January, however, are the post holiday sales. I treat these sales as a chance to find something warm, comfortable and stylish to get me through the next few months, and future winters.
Here’s what I purchased last year: a cozy, vintage-looking, faux-fur coat. It met all of my criteria for a good purchase. It’s well made and will last me for many years. It’s a timeless style that won’t date. It works with everything else in my wardrobe. I can dress it to be either very smart or very casual. It’s practical and warm as well as stylish. And last but not least, it makes me feel great when I wear it.
I view the January sales as a great chance to pick up things you genuinely need while retailers offer hefty discounts to clear their shelves before spring. To make sure you’re not buying something impulsively that you might later regret, ask yourself a few questions: Will you wear it at least 30 times in a year? Is the price worth it or should this same money be better spent on something you’d wear more frequently?
If you don’t trust yourself to stick to a budget, leave the credit cards behind and take cash only when you shop in a store. The most important step before you walk into a shop is to look at your wardrobe and assess where there are gaps. Is a pair of boots completely worn out? Do you need a more modern style of jeans? Is a jumper beyond mending and repair? Try to replace those items rather than buying another blouse simply because it is heavily reduced in price. It has never made sense to me to spend a lot of money on something such as a dress to attend a wedding, rather than putting that money towards a great camel coat that would get far more wear. Make your everyday wardrobe special.
I haven’t always been as thoughtful and conscious about my purchases as I currently am. However, when I consider that the fashion industry is the second most polluting on the planet after oil and gas, I feel compelled to make much more principled purchases now. So this is my New Year’s resolution for myself and also my challenge to you: buy only what you need, buy only what you truly love, and consider every purchase carefully, just as our parents and grandparents did before cheap, disposable fashion took over retail. Let’s make our wardrobes special in 2022.
1. According to the author, which of the following things will she buy?A.A pair of fashionable high-heel shoes that is perfect for dresses. |
B.A vintage-looking hat with timeless style made of beaver fur. |
C.A classical scarf on discount that goes well with every dressing style. |
D.A trendy and well made coat that needs washing by hand in warm water. |
A.special | B.generous | C.extra | D.seasonal |
A.January is the best time to buy real bargains. |
B.Never make impulsive purchases. |
C.It makes sense to buy things on special offer. |
D.One can enjoy more discounts by paying in cash. |
A.Be more sustainable when purchasing clothing. |
B.Learn how to make match of the clothes in wardrobe. |
C.Stock up on your favourite clothes if they are on sale. |
D.Clean out your wardrobe to make room for the new fashions. |
It may soon be easier for shoppers to find beauty products
The programme is an extension of the group’s work with the Skin Deep database, which for more than a decade now
Before now, the personal care industry has mostly shied away from eco-labels,
On-package labelling could become a common practice
“Eco-labelling is a critical step in the regulation of the private sector, and third party labels are generally more trustworthy than the industry’s self-certified labels,” says Xinghua Li, a professor of media studies at Babson College,
10 . Stores play music to change the way customers feel. Clothing stores for teenagers play popular music. It is exciting and makes the customers feel happy, but music does more than that. It can change the way a person shops.
According to studies, the volume (音量) of music changes how people shop. Customers shop quickly when store music is very loud. They hurry through the store, but they buy just as much. When music is quiet, customers shop slowly. Customers take time to look at the products and talk with the salespeople. Quiet music is good for products that take time and information to buy.
Slow music makes people slow down. In restaurants with slow music, customers spend more time eating. Slow music also slows down customers in supermarkets. Customers notice more products as they walk through the store. With slow music in supermarkets, sales go up by 38 percent.
Familiar music gives shoppers a good idea of time. People know the beginning, middle, and end of a familiar song. When customers hear music that is not familiar, they don’t notice the time. When they don’t notice the time, they spend more time shopping and buy more. People remember past experiences and feelings when they hear familiar music. Many stores play old, happy music so customers feel good. When customers hear new music, they forget about the world outside of the store. Some stores use new music so their customers relax while they shop.
Stores choose music that fits their products. A bookstore plays classical music and jazz. It gives the store a serious and intelligent feeling.
1. What’s the best title for the passage?A.Customers’ Music |
B.Store Music |
C.Customers and Music Owners |
D.Music and Shopping |
A.Quiet music is good for products. |
B.People shop slowly when they hear quiet music. |
C.People shop quickly when they hear loud music. |
D.The degrees of loudness of music influence the way of shopping. |
A.It changes the way people shop. |
B.It changes the way people feel. |
C.It changes the way people use the products. |
D.It changes the way people think about the products. |
A.Classical music. | B.Rock music. | C.Country music. | D.Jazz music. |